ASTM C1394-20

Standard Guide for In-Situ Structural Silicone Glazing Evaluation

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Guidelines are provided for the procedures to evaluate existing SSG installations, including two- and four-sided installations. Due to the unlimited range of materials that may be used in a particular building, the information contained in this guide is general in nature. For a discussion of new SSG installations, refer to Guide C1401.  
4.2 Typical conditions are listed that might be discovered during, or suggest the need for, such evaluations. Guidelines are also suggested for times to perform evaluations. These guidelines are also necessarily general. Professional judgment of a qualified person should be used in determining the appropriate time to perform an evaluation on a particular building.  
4.3 This guide should not be the only reference consulted when determining the scope of a proposed evaluation. For example, the local building code and the manufacturers' product literature for the actual materials used (if known) should also be considered.  
4.4 This document is not a substitute for experience and judgment in assessing the condition of the specialized types of construction discussed.
SCOPE
1.1 The existing condition of SSG installations should be periodically evaluated in-situ to detect if problems exist, and if so found, to address them before they become severe or pervasive. Evaluation of existing SSG installations is required by certain building codes and local ordinances. This guide provides a program to evaluate the existing conditions, lists typical conditions that may exist, and suggests times when such evaluations are appropriate. Presently, only a silicone sealant that is specifically formulated, tested and marketed as a structural glazing sealant is allowed for structural sealant glazing. The committee with jurisdiction over this standard is not aware of any comparable standards published by any other organizations.  
1.2 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Apr-2020
• ICS: 81.040.20 - Glass in building
• Technical Committee: C24 - Building Seals and Sealants
• Drafting Committee: C24.10 - Specifications, Guides and Practices

Relations

• Refers: ASTM C1521-19(2020) - Standard Practice for Evaluating Adhesion of Installed Weatherproofing Sealant Joints
• Effective Date: 01-May-2020

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: C1394 − 20
Standard Guide for
1
In-Situ Structural Silicone Glazing Evaluation
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1394; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
Structural Sealant Glazing (SSG) is a unique method of retaining glass or other panels via adhesive
bonding using a structural sealant. Emerging in the mid-to-late 1960s, SSG applications used silicone
sealants to transfer wind loads along two opposing sides of glass; a construction method which came
to be known as “two-sided” SSG. By 1971, the technique began incorporating load transfer along all
four sides of glass and the first “four-sided” SSG installation was built at 455 West Fort Street in
Detroit,Michigan.Sincethen,buildingscontainingtwo-orfour-sided(or,occasionally,othernumbers
of sides) SSG walls have been constructed within many cities, some exceeding 100 stories
While SSG popularity has increased since its inception, concerns remain over potential failures due
to the increasing number of buildings constructed using this method that are aging; unknown overall
structural sealant durability; and the fact that the adhesive bond in the SSG system remains largely
concealed from visual inspection, creating concern on SSG systems in general. This guide addresses
these concerns by providing suggestions for in-situ evaluations of completed installations of any age.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
2
1.1 The existing condition of SSG installations should be
2.1 ASTM Standards:
periodically evaluated in-situ to detect if problems exist, and if
C717 Terminology of Building Seals and Sealants
so found, to address them before they become severe or
C1392 Guide for Evaluating Failure of Structural Sealant
pervasive. Evaluation of existing SSG installations is required
Glazing
by certain building codes and local ordinances. This guide
C1401 Guide for Structural Sealant Glazing
provides a program to evaluate the existing conditions, lists
C1521 Practice for EvaluatingAdhesion of Installed Weath-
typical conditions that may exist, and suggests times when
erproofing Sealant Joints
such evaluations are appropriate. Presently, only a silicone
sealant that is specifically formulated, tested and marketed as a
3. Terminology
structural glazing sealant is allowed for structural sealant
3.1 Definitions:The definitions of the following terms used
glazing. The committee with jurisdiction over this standard is
inthisguidearefoundinTerminologyC717:structuralsealant;
not aware of any comparable standards published by any other
structural sealant glazing; two-sided structural sealant glazing;
organizations.
four-sided structural sealant glazing; fluid migration.
1.2 This international standard was developed in accor-
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
3.2.1 qualified person—one with a recognized degree or
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
professional registration and extensive knowledge and experi-
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
ence in the field of structural sealant glazing, and who is
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
capable of design, analysis, evaluation, and interpretation of
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
specifications in the subject.
1
ThisguideisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeC24onBuildingSeals
and Sealants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C24.10 on
2
Specifications, Guides and Practices. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved May 1, 2020. Published June 2020. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approvedin1998.Lastpreviouseditionapprovedin2012asC1394–03(2012).DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/C1394-20. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
C1394 − 20
4. Significance and Use 5.2.4 Between 1 and 2 years after substantial completion,
Level 1;
4.1 Guidelines are provided for the procedures to evaluate
5.2.5 After 5 years, Level 1;
existing SSG installations, including two- and four-sided
5.2.6 After 10 years, Level 2;
installations. Due to the unlimited range of material
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: C1394 − 03 (Reapproved 2012) C1394 − 20
Standard Guide for
1
In-Situ Structural Silicone Glazing Evaluation
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1394; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
SSG is popular because of itsStructural Sealant Glazing (SSG) is a unique method of retaining glass
or other panels in smooth exterior walls, interrupted only by narrow sealant joints. The first four-sided
SSG in commercial construction is on the former corporate headquarters building of SHG
Incorporated (formerly known as Smith, Hinchman & Grylls) in Detroit, MI, built in 1971. via
adhesive bonding using a structural sealant. Emerging in the mid-to-late 1960s, SSG applications used
silicone sealants to transfer wind loads along two opposing sides of glass; a construction method
which came to be known as “two-sided” SSG. By 1971, the technique began incorporating load
transfer along all four sides of glass and the first “four-sided” SSG installation was built at 455 West
Fort Street in Detroit, Michigan. Since then, buildings containing two- or four-sided (or, occasionally,
other numbers of sides of nonrectangular-shaped panels) sides) SSG walls have been constructed
within mostmany cities, some as tall as 80 stories.exceeding 100 stories
While SSG popularity increases, the sealant industry remains concerned has increased since its
inception, concerns remain over potential failures due to the increasing number of buildings
containing structural glazing constructed using this method that are aging; unknown overall structural
sealant durability; and the level of understanding of the principles of SSG by glazers. fact that the
adhesive bond in the SSG system remains largely concealed from visual inspection, creating concern
on SSG systems in general. This guide addresses these concerns by providing suggestions for in situ
in-situ evaluations of completed installations of any age.
1. Scope
1.1 It is recommended to periodically evaluate the The existing condition of structural sealant glazing (hereinafter called SSG)
installations in situ to detect problems SSG installations should be periodically evaluated in-situ to detect if problems exist, and
if so found, to address them before they become severe or pervasive. Evaluation of existing SSG installations areis required by
certain building codes and local ordinances. This guide provides a program to evaluate the existing conditions, lists typical
conditions, which might be found, conditions that may exist, and suggests times when such evaluations are appropriate. Presently,
only a silicone sealant that is specifically formulated, tested and marketed as a structural glazing sealant is allowed for structural
sealant glazing. The committee with jurisdiction over this standard is not aware of any comparable standards published by any
other organizations.
1.2 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C717 Terminology of Building Seals and Sealants
C1392 Guide for Evaluating Failure of Structural Sealant Glazing
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C24 on Building Seals and Sealants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C24.10 on Specifications,
Guides and Practices.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2012May 1, 2020. Published December 2012June 2020. Originally approved in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 20082012 as
C1394–03(2008).C1394–03(2012). DOI: 10.1520/C1394-03R12.10.1520/C1394-20.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
C1394 − 20
C1401 Guide for Structural Sealant Glazing
C1521 Practice for Evaluating Adhesion of In
...